Stow Historical Society: 50 Years and Counting

Celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Stow Historical Society

Dinner program, 6 pm November 12, 2012 at the Stow Town Hall

Reservations are required and must be received by Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Please reserve to
Dorothy Sonnichsen at 978-897-3344.

Program highlights will include:

50 Years of Stow History
SHS President Barbara Sipler will review the history of the Historical Society, from the memoirs and "white paper" research by early members to the educational emphasis of more recent times.

Installation of a New President
Barbara has decided to step down as president after heading the organization since 1991. Stow Things author Ralph Fuller has agreed to take on the role.

The Stow Time Capsule
To mark its 50^th anniversary, the SHS will seal a Stow Time Capsule filled with books, newspapers, maps and other "artifacts" of life in our town in 2011, to be opened on the Society's 100^th anniversary in 2061. Barbara, Ralph, Karen Gray, Linda Stokes, Nancy Arsenault, and Dorothy Sonnichsen are currently working to assemble time capsule contents. Email any suggestions you may have to info@stowhistoricalsociety.org

The 12”x12”x9” stainless steel box will be housed for the next 50 years among the historical artifacts currently on view in the SHS display cases in Randall Library.

World Premiere (sort of): The West School Video
The program will include a viewing of the new, seven-minute-long West School video, produced by Stow’s Jack Slattery to enhance awareness of the structure that served Stow as a one-room schoolhouse from 1825 to 1903.

Jack conceived of the project as the community service component of his effort to achieve an Eagle Scout award, one of the highest awards in scouting. He not only researched and wrote the script for the production, he borrowed costumes from Old Sturbridge Village, coordinated donations from various business and local groups and recruited Stow kids to act in it. Lizzie Cross, a classmate from Nashoba Regional High School, played the teacher.

Jack was assisted by Stow’s Dan Hnatio, who donated the services of his production company, Active Communications. Dan shot, edited and worked with Jack to create the final video. Karen Gray served as Jack’s consultant and advisor for the project. It will be displayed during programs at West School, at various town meetings and on Stow TV.